The strawberry harvest from the greenhouses of Ilia and Achaia in Greece has now concluded, marking yet another profitable season. The high temperatures of the Greek June limit national production mostly to a few outdoor crops at high altitudes, but hydroponic cultivation is now also emerging, according to Mr. Andreas Lypas, director of the agricultural consulting company Fertile Land Ltd.
"The Greek market is showing increased interest in technologically advanced cultivation models, as more and more growers are exploring the transition to hydroponic strawberry systems – both by converting existing facilities and by designing new year-round production units," says Mr. Lypas, who recently successfully converted a 1.5-hectare greenhouse from tomatoes to strawberries.
As he emphasizes: "We expect further development in the sector over the coming years, with a focus on integrating innovations that align with market demands and the principles of sustainable agriculture." The Greek consultant also observes that "Investors and growers who choose this model often come from the conventional strawberry sector and are seeking qualitative differentiation. They are either export-oriented, collaborate with high value-added retail chains, or belong to cooperative structures or ESG investment funds looking for predictability and sustainability."
Hydroponic strawberry cultivation represents a more capital-intensive investment. Specifically, Mr. Lypas explains the cost of such an installation in Greece: "The cost of a hydroponic system is a multifactorial equation depending on the type of greenhouse, the area, the level of automation, and commercial objectives. Indicatively, a high-tech greenhouse may cost around €85–100 per square meter, with potential yields reaching or even exceeding 17 kg/m² annually, depending on planting density and management."
Naturally, such an investment is associated with both the demand and the opportunity for year-round access to premium markets, compared to conventionally grown strawberries. "The twelve-month hydroponic strawberry caters to premium retailers, the HORECA sector, export markets with strict standards, and customers who require predictability, freshness, and high repeatability. It is well-suited for contract farming with fixed specifications. The strategic benefits include stable cash flow and potential for capital investment repayment, increased bargaining power for the grower in the market, and brand development of the product," Mr. Lypas concludes.
For more information
Andreas Lypas
Fertile Land Ltd.
Tel: +30 698 070 1506
Email: [email protected]